Page 90 of Bound

My family’s all together.

“Come on, Bambi,” Smitty says, drawing back and nodding at Jackson.

“Rude.”

He tugs at my ponytail. “Stop trying to make trouble. It’s beyond time we teach you how to skate.”

I gulp. “But you’re visiting and the kids want to see you.”

There already clambering around the edges, inching toward our gathering.

“I’ll just?—”

But it’s Aiden who surprises me, stepping close, taking an arm, nodding at Smitty to grab the other.

I squeak as I’m lifted into the air then again as my skates hit the ice…and immediately try to slip out from under me.

“Shit,” I hiss, clenching at Aiden’s arm.

“We’ve got you.”

And, although it takes me a minute, I realize theydohave me. Aiden and Smitty each holding me beneath an arm, Jackson maneuvering in front of me, his big hands wrapped around mine as he skates backward.

A four-person crew—three of them with professional skating experience, one pathetically resembling Bambi—skating around an ice rink.

It’s ridiculous and embarrassing and…

It’s my family having my back.

Even though it looks different.

Even though we’re spread out across the country.

It’s—

I squeal again as I lose my footing, somehow managing to take both Smitty and Aiden out, their big bodies hitting the ice with a sickeningthunk.

Jackson moves in a flash, drawing me against him, holding me off the surface of the rink, keeping us both steady when I would have gone down with the rest of the ship.

“Umm,” I whisper.

Smitty and Aiden are already back on their feet, wincing as they brush snow from their pants.

“Sorry?” I tell them.

Jackson chuckles. “Taking out the competition?”

Smitty scowls, but his eyes are dancing. “Jesus, Bambi.”

Aiden just shakes his head at me. “You said it was hopeless.” A beleaguered sigh. “I should have believed you.”

“Nah, man,” Smitty says. “Bambi almost had it.”

“That nickname has to go.”

“Only one way to make that happen—learn how to skare.” His eyes fix me in place. “Now, it’s time to go again.”

“Yeah, no thanks,” I say, shaking my head vehemently. “One near brush with death is enough for the day.”

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